Insider Attacks From Afghan Soldiers 'Dramatically' Increasing: DoD

Feb. 1, 2012

Page 2 of 2

Tensions ran so high after two incidents of men in Afghan uniforms killing some of their Australian private contracting mentors late last year, the Australian company temporarily disarmed an entire unit of Afghan soldiers.

Still, all of the defense officials who testified today said that close cooperation between American and Afghan soldiers and contractors was "critical" to the American mission in Afghanistan -- and therefore worth the risks.

"I don't believe we can fully eliminate [the insider threats]," Gary Motsek, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Program Support, said, "but we must do everything in our power to minimize them."